PnB Rock, Selfish | Track Review 🎵

Up-and-coming rapper/singer PnB Rock delivers a crowd-pleasing single with “Selfish” from GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions.

22017 – new year, new artists.  One promising new artist in the urban vein is PnB Rock.  PnB is representative of the hybrid musician – one who both sings and raps interchangeably.  He has released a couple of mixtapes, most notably the commercially available 2015 effort, RNB 3, released on major label Atlantic. 2017 welcomes his proper debut, GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions.  Three singles arrived prior to GTTM: “New Day”, “Playa No More”, and “Selfish.” 

“Selfish” is in the introspective, lethargic vein of the urban contemporary style.  The style is appealing, but has also grown cliché at times.  The record benefits from its lush, slick production work, specifically the drum programming and use of synths. This production establishes the vibe and overall sentiment of the record. Vibe is everything these days.

PnB Rock’s approach is pop-rap driven. He half-sings, yet he handles the melodic lines rhythmically with great agility.  If nothing more, he’s nimble. The catchy, repetitive hook is the major selling point:

“I’m selfish
I want you all to myself I swear
You don’t need nobody else I swear
I want you all to myself
Because I’m selfish, yeah...”

Final Thoughts

Lyrically, PnB isn’t delivering home runs.  He speaks in slang, spitting game. Again, this is cliché as opposed to groundbreaking. Nonetheless, “Selfish” is an enjoyable single – definitely a crowd-pleaser.

PnB Rock • GTTM: Goin Thru the Motions • EMPIRE / Atlantic • Release: 1.13.17 

Photo Credit: EMPIRE / Atlantic